Sister Busby explains that regardless of the weather, she loves going to church.
The community room at Sherrill House in Jamaica Plain was dressed for a celebration last Tuesday, its walls lined with shiny decorations as residents, parishioners and city leaders gathered to honor Beatrice Busby.
Busby, who turned 110 on Nov. 28, sat among friends at the nursing center on South Huntington Avenue where she resides as Boston marked a milestone reached by few and revered by many. The room filled with applause, prayer and quiet conversation, reflecting the weight of a life rooted in faith, community and action.
Born in 1915, Busby was baptized at Peoples Baptist Church at age 10 and has remained a devoted member. A longtime resident of Jamaica Plain, she has spent more than a century tied to the church she calls home — a history woven into Boston’s social and spiritual fabric.
“As her pastor for eight months, one of the things that Sister Busby reminds our entire church congregation of is what it means to be faithful,” said Rev. Art Gorden. “To be over 100 years old and consistently come to church Sunday after Sunday is a great inspiration for our church. It reminds us that God does honor and reward our faithfulness.”
Gorden opened the celebration with a prayer that framed the gathering as both thanksgiving and testimony, calling Busby “one of the bedrocks of our community” and a witness to decades of change in the city.
“Her history in this city goes back a long time,” he said. “Throughout her lifetime, she has seen a lot. But we’re grateful that she is still here as a witness of her faithfulness, what she means not only to her church, but to all the people of Sherrill House.”
Mayor Michelle Wu attended the event and formally proclaimed Nov. 28 as Beatrice Busby Day in Boston. The declaration, read during the program, described Busby as “a living legend” and traced her life of service and advocacy.
According to the citation, Busby worked to promote racial equity through Peoples Baptist Church and once picketed downtown department stores to call attention to unfair working conditions. In 1951, she was invited to join the Women’s Service Club and continued to support and advocate for her community throughout her life.
“We live in a world that feels so chaotic and ever shifting,” Wu said in an interview with the Banner after the ceremony. “Considering all the noise around us, it’s amazing to see the grace and fortitude she brings to Boston.”
Wu said Busby’s continued engagement stood out most.
“It’s nice to know that Sister Busby is still involved in church and continues to shape the city,” Wu said. “She knows who she is and has taken action for it.”
City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and City Councilor Benjamin J. Weber also attended the celebration. Weber presented a Boston City Council citation recognizing Busby’s landmark birthday and extending “warmest wishes for a joyous birthday and continued health and happiness.”
State Sen. Liz Miranda sent a citation honoring Busby, while a representative from the governor’s office presented a proclamation signed by Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. The citation praised Busby’s life as “a testament to the power of the love and beauty of a well-lived journey,” and was dated Nov. 28, 2025.
Alessio Miniello, RN, chief clinical officer at Sherrill House, addressed the celebration and reflected on Busby’s longevity from a caregiving perspective.
“For those of us dealing in geriatric care, how long someone has lived can sometimes be overlooked,” Miniello said. “What we’ve learned about Mrs. Busby is her commitment. Being able to commit to things over such a span of time is what makes her life so honorable.”
Miniello thanked Busby on behalf of the staff, residents and care team at Sherrill House, calling the celebration a shared pleasure for everyone present.
The afternoon also included moments of warmth and simplicity. Birthday cards made by third- and fifth-grade students from Mansfield were shared with Busby, their handwritten messages adding a multigenerational touch to the gathering. A large birthday cake was wheeled into the room as applause rippled through the crowd.
Wu sat at the piano and played “Happy Birthday,” leading residents, guests and city officials in song. Busby sat smiling in the room as voices rose around her.
While the program featured proclamations and formal recognitions, speakers repeatedly returned to a more personal theme: that Busby’s impact is not measured only in the length of her life, but in the consistency of her faith and the courage of her convictions.
At Peoples Baptist Church, she remains a living link to generations past. At Sherrill House, she shares daily life with friends and fellow residents who know her not as a symbol, but as a companion. And for the city of Boston, she stands as a reminder that history is not only remembered — it is lived.
At 110 years old, Beatrice Busby is celebrated not simply for reaching an extraordinary age, but for the steady presence she has maintained across a century of change, bearing witness to the city she helped shape
